The Daily Star Ireland
Coco Gauff secured her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a dramatic three-set final that showcased both brilliance and unpredictability. The contest between the tournament’s top two seeds ended with Gauff emerging victorious, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4, after two hours and 38 minutes of intense competition on the Paris clay.
The final marked the first time since 2013 that the top two women’s seeds had contested the French Open final. On that occasion, Serena Williams triumphed over Maria Sharapova. This year’s match lived up to its billing, offering a gripping blend of high-quality shot-making and fluctuating momentum between two of the tour’s most dynamic players.
Tense Opening Set Sets the Tone
Sabalenka began the match in commanding form, racing to a 4-1 lead by breaking Gauff’s serve to love and producing a run of nine consecutive points. Gauff initially struggled with control, producing a series of unforced errors as she attempted to settle into the match.
However, the momentum shifted midway through the set. Gauff found rhythm with a delicate drop shot that caught Sabalenka off guard, followed by a double fault from the Belarusian and a forehand winner that gave Gauff her first break point. She converted it, and the set was back on level terms.
At 4-4, Sabalenka misjudged a ball she believed would go long, only for it to land inside the baseline by a few inches. This misstep allowed Gauff to recover completely and extend the set. Although Gauff led early in the eventual tie-break, Sabalenka responded with precise, powerful winners down the line to claim the set after 77 minutes of fluctuating form and escalating intensity.
Gauff Regains Control in the Second Set
Despite dropping the opening set, Gauff maintained composure. Having experienced a straight-set loss in the 2022 Roland Garros final against Iga Swiatek in just over an hour, the American showed no signs of pressure this time around.
She immediately broke Sabalenka at the start of the second set and never looked back. Gauff dictated the tempo with consistent returns and solid baseline play, while her opponent’s rhythm faltered. The set was wrapped up quickly in comparison to the first, punctuated by a decisive overhead and a roar from Gauff as she leveled the match at one set apiece.
Decisive Moments in the Final Set
With both players aiming for their first French Open title, the deciding set unfolded with heightened intensity. Gauff took the early advantage by breaking Sabalenka to move ahead, as the Belarusian’s frustration became increasingly evident. Tension on Sabalenka’s side of the court grew, particularly during exchanges with her coaching team.
Although Sabalenka fought back to 3-3, she double-faulted on her next service game, allowing Gauff to reclaim the lead with a clean backhand winner on her first break point. At 5-3, Sabalenka managed to hold serve, forcing Gauff to close out the match.
In a fitting conclusion to an unpredictable match, Gauff faced both match point and break point before securing victory on her second opportunity, when Sabalenka sent a forehand wide. The American dropped to the clay in tears, celebrating a hard-earned and emotional triumph.
The match featured 15 service breaks and 100 unforced errors between the two finalists, yet it remained an absorbing spectacle filled with fierce rallies and athletic shot-making. Gauff’s composure and resilience in key moments ultimately carried her to her first title on Parisian clay, cementing her status among the sport’s elite.
